That does NOT mean I won't fall off the bandwagon after he gets back. I've got some interviews coming and I don't really have what I want to wear (proper grey pants). If I decide I need them, I'll just hop off never to return to this thread again.

Ordered some shirts from Luxire last month and Therese said they will be shipping tomorrow or Friday. I compiled a list of swatches for her to include in the package. $1 per swatch.

If I don't get them now, I need to wait until the next order, or wait another few weeks for her to send them. I view it as something I need now, for later. I'm not commissioning anything.

It's 110 here and I have no linen. Here's the swatches I'm requesting, they're nearly all linen. My work from home job is coming to an end and I don't have a good enough wardrobe to get through the week. Picking from here will help, and needs to get done as soon as July is over.

I am relatively low on cash and would rather not donate $22-23. At least not at this moment in time.

I realize that this would not constitute an impulse purchase, but you also fell off the wagon last month (IIRC) and are planning some pretty hefty (though nice!) purchases at the end of this month. Being hot sucks, but swatches before you buy is definitely a luxury...as is having linen shirts as an alternative to cotton. However, I'm willing to leave this up to the masses.

If three members...not including you...give this post thumbs, I'll consider that the clubs approval of emergency funds. Please note that the last time emergency funds were well spent, a member had lost so much weight that his belt no longer worked. That was pants falling down; this is swatches.

SO WHAT SAY YOU? IS THIS A VALID USE OF EMERGENCY FUNDS? Thumb for yes.

I understand having swatches is a luxury but its a valid idea to buying shirts you find out you dont want after having them made. And linen over cotton is a luxury buy I have only four shirts. In the interest of variety and good taste, more would be better. And soon, which is why I request swatches now more than later.

I realize that this would not constitute an impulse purchase, but you also fell off the wagon last month (IIRC) and are planning some pretty hefty (though nice!) purchases at the end of this month. Being hot sucks, but swatches before you buy is definitely a luxury...as is having linen shirts as an alternative to cotton. However, I'm willing to leave this up to the masses.

If three members...not including you...give this post thumbs, I'll consider that the clubs approval of emergency funds. Please note that the last time emergency funds were well spent, a member had lost so much weight that his belt no longer worked. That was pants falling down; this is swatches.

SO WHAT SAY YOU? IS THIS A VALID USE OF EMERGENCY FUNDS? Thumb for yes.

I have 4 shirts, and two are pink. This is for workwear. I do need other shirts. Luxire has my measurements so I love ordering from there. If I'm getting shirts because I need them (which I do), it might as well be linen-cotton mixes. Interview on Friday but it's just a formality as two of the four people interviewing me gave a recommendation for me. Two weeks, I get a position there hopefully. Which is the delivery time for Luxire. I'll still be late to the show but I'll have shirts worth appreciating if I ordered sooner than later.

If I don't get swatches, I'll have to wait two weeks after NPC. Then two or more weeks after that to get the shirts. By then my potential coworkers will have been wondering why this guy wears so much pink and blue with no patterns (they may not really care but I will, which is the point of StyleForum).

If it makes you feel better Clag, I just made a WantsAndNeeds xls that has $5000 worth of clothing on it. It's fun to look at it over and over and see what I really need, what I really want, and what I don't need at all, then cut it down.

Edit: I haven't mentioned at all that I only have like 4 pairs of pants. Brown houndstooth, Green that needs to be tailored, brown pinstripe and tan 4 seasons. These will work but 2-3 extra pairs for variety (grey, plain brown, khaki linen) rounds out the wardrobe nicely. That's why all those swatches are there.

Edit v Conundrum: Clag.. What if I don't wear these linens and I wear my heavy shirts and pants, then lose so much weight from the sweat, I need a new belt to hold my trousers up? Is this not a more viable option?! :-) (Kidding)